Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang

September 16, 2013 3:20 PM

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

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Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential Chinese cooks in the world. Both are well into their 90s. Cecilia founded the Mandarin restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, and has mentored countless of Chinese chefs, along with writing several cookbooks and two memoirs. Florence, a longtime New York resident, had the same effect on the East Coast, writing several cookbooks that made Chinese cooking accessible to Westerners. They met for the first time at Yank Sing in San Francisco. less

Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential Chinese cooks in the world. Both are well into their 90s. Cecilia founded the Mandarin restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, and has mentored ... more

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential... Photo-5193717.70267 - NewsTimes

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Various Chinese cuisine cookbooks by Lin and Chiang over the years.

Various Chinese cuisine cookbooks by Lin and Chiang over the years.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Various Chinese cuisine cookbooks by Lin and Chiang over the years. Photo-5193718.70267 - NewsTimes

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Campaign and Champagne.

Campaign and Champagne.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Campaign and Champagne. Photo-5193719.70267 - NewsTimes

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Ants on a Tree.

Ants on a Tree.

Photo: Craig Lee, Special To The Chronicle

Ants on a Tree. Photo-5193720.70267 - NewsTimes

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Rice cakes.

Rice cakes.

Photo: Craig Lee, Special To The Chronicle

Rice cakes. Photo-5193721.70267 - NewsTimes

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Eggplant in garlic sauce.

Eggplant in garlic sauce.

Photo: Craig Lee, Special To The Chronicle

Eggplant in garlic sauce. Photo-5193722.70267 - NewsTimes

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Twice-cooked pork.

Twice-cooked pork.

Photo: Craig Lee, Special To The Chronicle

Twice-cooked pork. Photo-5193723.70267 - NewsTimes

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Scallion pancakes.

Scallion pancakes.

Photo: Craig Lee, Special To The Chronicle

Scallion pancakes. Photo-5193724.70267 - NewsTimes

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Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential Chinese cooks in the world. Both are well into their 90s. Cecilia founded the Mandarin restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, and has mentored countless of Chinese chefs, along with writing several cookbooks and two memoirs. Florence, a longtime New York resident, had the same effect on the East Coast, writing several cookbooks that made Chinese cooking accessible to Westerners. They met for the first time at Yank Sing in San Francisco. less

Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential Chinese cooks in the world. Both are well into their 90s. Cecilia founded the Mandarin restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, and has mentored ... more

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Florence Lin and Cecilia Chiang are two of the most influential... Photo-5193725.70267 - NewsTimes